#Announcement
🌇 On November 23-24, 2026, the National Center "Russia" in Moscow will host the International Municipal Forum — a major international event dedicated to the development of modern cities.
✅ The main theme of the Forum in 2026 is "Sustainable Transformation of Cities: Responding to Global Challenges".
The event will serve as a key platform for discussing current issues in modern urban development, including the implementation of information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as the development of logistics, transport infrastructure, and the environmental agenda.
Among the priority areas of the business program are the development of effective tools for the growth of small towns and historic settlements. Particular attention will be paid to training and professional development of municipal teams to implement best practices in urban development.
🤝 Discussions and events on the international agenda will focus on strengthening municipal diplomacy and inter-parliamentary cooperation.
The Forum builds on the experience of the 2025 BRICS International Municipal Forum, which brought together over 5,300 participants, including 653 mayors and heads of municipal administrations. The event concluded with the signing of 76 cooperation agreements.
This year, the Forum is organized by the Roscongress Foundation and will take place with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council, the Moscow City Duma, the All-Russian Association for Local Self-Government Development, and the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The general partner is the Moscow Government.
The Forum will provide participants with the opportunity to present the best projects, advanced practices, and achievements, showcase modern technological solutions for ensuring sustainable development of cities and regions, and expand foreign economic cooperation between Russian and international entrepreneurs.
🌐 As part of promoting international cooperation in 2026, a series of partner events abroad is also planned, including in India, the UAE, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Oman, Brazil, and Iran.
👉 More details
#InternationalMunicipalForum
🌇 On November 23-24, 2026, the National Center "Russia" in Moscow will host the International Municipal Forum — a major international event dedicated to the development of modern cities.
✅ The main theme of the Forum in 2026 is "Sustainable Transformation of Cities: Responding to Global Challenges".
The event will serve as a key platform for discussing current issues in modern urban development, including the implementation of information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as the development of logistics, transport infrastructure, and the environmental agenda.
Among the priority areas of the business program are the development of effective tools for the growth of small towns and historic settlements. Particular attention will be paid to training and professional development of municipal teams to implement best practices in urban development.
🤝 Discussions and events on the international agenda will focus on strengthening municipal diplomacy and inter-parliamentary cooperation.
The Forum builds on the experience of the 2025 BRICS International Municipal Forum, which brought together over 5,300 participants, including 653 mayors and heads of municipal administrations. The event concluded with the signing of 76 cooperation agreements.
This year, the Forum is organized by the Roscongress Foundation and will take place with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council, the Moscow City Duma, the All-Russian Association for Local Self-Government Development, and the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The general partner is the Moscow Government.
The Forum will provide participants with the opportunity to present the best projects, advanced practices, and achievements, showcase modern technological solutions for ensuring sustainable development of cities and regions, and expand foreign economic cooperation between Russian and international entrepreneurs.
🌐 As part of promoting international cooperation in 2026, a series of partner events abroad is also planned, including in India, the UAE, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Oman, Brazil, and Iran.
👉 More details
#InternationalMunicipalForum
👍1
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇨🇳 Joint Declaration of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the Emergence of a Multipolar World and International Relations of a New Type (Beijing, May 20, 2026)
📄 FULL DECLARATION
Since the end of the Second World War, changes in the international landscape and in the global balance of power have been accelerating.
On the one hand, the wave of decolonisation and the end of the Cold War led to a significant increase in the number of sovereign states in the world.
The international community has become more diverse and complex. The level of development and international influence of the countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean has grown. The number of regional and interregional associations has increased, with their activities covering all areas of international relations – from politics and security to the economy and the humanitarian dimension – and their role in world affairs is steadily growing. Interconnectedness and interdependence in the world have reached an unprecedented level in human history.
☝️ Attempts by a number of states to single-handedly manage world affairs, impose their interests on the entire world and restrict the sovereign development opportunities of other countries in the spirit of the colonial era have failed.
In the 21st century, the system of international relations is undergoing a profound transformation, evolving towards a long-term state of polycentricity and the formation of international relations of a new type.
Most states, taking into account their historical experience, have become deeply aware of the advent of a new era and the need to follow the path towards building a more cohesive international community, as well as mutual respect for fundamental interests, equality, justice and mutually beneficial cooperation – without dividing the world into opposing regions and blocs.
On the other hand, the global situation is becoming more complex. Negative neocolonial trends are on the rise, including the practice of unilateral force-based approaches, hegemonism and bloc confrontation.
The basic universally recognised norms of international law and international relations are being regularly trampled upon; it is becoming more difficult for states to coordinate their actions and settle conflicts within global governance institutions, many of which are losing their effectiveness. The global agenda of peace and development is facing new risks and challenges, and there is a danger of fragmentation of the international community and a return to the “law of the jungle”.
***
🌐 Advocating a harmonious process of shaping an equal and orderly multipolar world and international relations of a new type, including a more just and rational system of global governance, Russia and China undertake and call on the international community to adhere to the following basic principles in their relations with one another:
Russia and China will continue to develop a shared vision for shaping a #MultipolarWorld and more just international relations of a new type.
#RussiaChina
📄 FULL DECLARATION
Since the end of the Second World War, changes in the international landscape and in the global balance of power have been accelerating.
On the one hand, the wave of decolonisation and the end of the Cold War led to a significant increase in the number of sovereign states in the world.
The international community has become more diverse and complex. The level of development and international influence of the countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean has grown. The number of regional and interregional associations has increased, with their activities covering all areas of international relations – from politics and security to the economy and the humanitarian dimension – and their role in world affairs is steadily growing. Interconnectedness and interdependence in the world have reached an unprecedented level in human history.
☝️ Attempts by a number of states to single-handedly manage world affairs, impose their interests on the entire world and restrict the sovereign development opportunities of other countries in the spirit of the colonial era have failed.
In the 21st century, the system of international relations is undergoing a profound transformation, evolving towards a long-term state of polycentricity and the formation of international relations of a new type.
Most states, taking into account their historical experience, have become deeply aware of the advent of a new era and the need to follow the path towards building a more cohesive international community, as well as mutual respect for fundamental interests, equality, justice and mutually beneficial cooperation – without dividing the world into opposing regions and blocs.
On the other hand, the global situation is becoming more complex. Negative neocolonial trends are on the rise, including the practice of unilateral force-based approaches, hegemonism and bloc confrontation.
The basic universally recognised norms of international law and international relations are being regularly trampled upon; it is becoming more difficult for states to coordinate their actions and settle conflicts within global governance institutions, many of which are losing their effectiveness. The global agenda of peace and development is facing new risks and challenges, and there is a danger of fragmentation of the international community and a return to the “law of the jungle”.
***
🌐 Advocating a harmonious process of shaping an equal and orderly multipolar world and international relations of a new type, including a more just and rational system of global governance, Russia and China undertake and call on the international community to adhere to the following basic principles in their relations with one another:
1. The principle of openness of the world to inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation.
2. The principle of indivisible and equal security.
3. The principle of democratisation of international relations and improvement of the global governance system.
4. The diversity of world civilisations and values.
Russia and China will continue to develop a shared vision for shaping a #MultipolarWorld and more just international relations of a new type.
#RussiaChina
❤1
Forwarded from МИД России 🇷🇺
🇷🇺 О мероприятии ко Дню коренных малочисленных народов России
12 мая в МИД России при участии представителей профильных ведомств и организаций, региональных властей, дипкорпуса и СМИ состоялось культурно-протокольное мероприятие, приуроченное ко Дню коренных малочисленных народов России, который в соответствии с Указом Президента Российской Федерации В.В.Путина в этом году впервые отмечается в нашей стране.
С приветственными словами к собравшимся обратились заместитель Министра иностранных дел Российской Федерации А.В.Грушко, руководитель Федерального агентства по делам национальностей И.В.Баринов, губернатор Ненецкого автономного округа И.А.Гехт и президент Ассоциации коренных малочисленных народов Севера, Сибири и Дальнего Востока Российской Федерации, сенатор А.В.Новьюхов.
Выступавшие акцентировали передовой российский опыт в сфере поддержки жителей Севера, устойчивого социально-экономического развития Арктики, продвижения взаимовыгодного международного взаимодействия в высоких широтах с подключением конструктивно настроенных иностранных, в том числе внерегиональных, партнеров.
Особо отмечена важность сохранения культурного и языкового наследия коренных малочисленных народов, их самобытных обычаев, хозяйственного уклада и исконной среды обитания.
В рамках мероприятия также состоялись показ фотовыставок «Югра. Коренные народы Севера: фотохроника ТАСС» и «На 69-й параллели», экспозиции документов Архива внешней политики Российской империи об истории Севера, Сибири и Дальнего Востока России (XVIII век - начало XX века), выступления творческих коллективов.
12 мая в МИД России при участии представителей профильных ведомств и организаций, региональных властей, дипкорпуса и СМИ состоялось культурно-протокольное мероприятие, приуроченное ко Дню коренных малочисленных народов России, который в соответствии с Указом Президента Российской Федерации В.В.Путина в этом году впервые отмечается в нашей стране.
С приветственными словами к собравшимся обратились заместитель Министра иностранных дел Российской Федерации А.В.Грушко, руководитель Федерального агентства по делам национальностей И.В.Баринов, губернатор Ненецкого автономного округа И.А.Гехт и президент Ассоциации коренных малочисленных народов Севера, Сибири и Дальнего Востока Российской Федерации, сенатор А.В.Новьюхов.
Выступавшие акцентировали передовой российский опыт в сфере поддержки жителей Севера, устойчивого социально-экономического развития Арктики, продвижения взаимовыгодного международного взаимодействия в высоких широтах с подключением конструктивно настроенных иностранных, в том числе внерегиональных, партнеров.
Особо отмечена важность сохранения культурного и языкового наследия коренных малочисленных народов, их самобытных обычаев, хозяйственного уклада и исконной среды обитания.
В рамках мероприятия также состоялись показ фотовыставок «Югра. Коренные народы Севера: фотохроника ТАСС» и «На 69-й параллели», экспозиции документов Архива внешней политики Российской империи об истории Севера, Сибири и Дальнего Востока России (XVIII век - начало XX века), выступления творческих коллективов.
🌐 MGIMO INTERNATIONAL:
Join the Future Leaders’ Team – Right Now
What do presidents, foreign ministers, successful business leaders, top experts and renowned journalists have in common? They all once walked through the doors of #MGIMO – a university that shapes tomorrow’s global leaders.
Moscow State Institute of International Relations – MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation – is one of Russia’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
The names of MGIMO alumni speak for themselves: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and UNESCO Director-General (2009–2017) Irina Bokova are just a few of those who proudly call MGIMO their alma mater. They are joined by thousands of diplomats, politicians, entrepreneurs and journalists shaping the agenda in their home countries and on the global stage.
🎓 MGIMO’s motto is “Shaping Minds That Shape the World”.
The University’s core values include:
Today, MGIMO has:
Ask students and alumni to describe their alma mater in one phrase, and they will always say: “MGIMO is family”. The University builds a truly global community uniting people from more than 90 countries.
👉 Want to follow in the footsteps of global leaders? You can start right now by applying to MGIMO’s preparatory or bachelor’s degree programmes. The application process is fully online and takes just a few steps:
ℹ️ You can find all information about MGIMO, admissions, schools and programmes on the website for international applicants.
ℹ️ For more details on programmes, student life and events for international students, follow the MGIMO International Telegram channel.
Join the Future Leaders’ Team – Right Now
What do presidents, foreign ministers, successful business leaders, top experts and renowned journalists have in common? They all once walked through the doors of #MGIMO – a university that shapes tomorrow’s global leaders.
Moscow State Institute of International Relations – MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation – is one of Russia’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
☝️ Founded in 1944 as a “forge of diplomats” for the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and allied countries, MGIMO has grown over its 80-year history into an intellectual hub that sets the standard for educating the future architects of international relations.
The names of MGIMO alumni speak for themselves: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and UNESCO Director-General (2009–2017) Irina Bokova are just a few of those who proudly call MGIMO their alma mater. They are joined by thousands of diplomats, politicians, entrepreneurs and journalists shaping the agenda in their home countries and on the global stage.
🎓 MGIMO’s motto is “Shaping Minds That Shape the World”.
The University’s core values include:
• Elite interdisciplinary education
• Unparalleled language and cultural training
• Unique teaching staff
• Intellectual courage and critical thinking
Today, MGIMO has:
• 4 campuses – Moscow, Odintsovo, Tashkent and Astana
• 14 schools and institutes
• 8 research centres
• 15 undergraduate majors and 48 bachelor’s degree programmes
• 18 graduate majors and 63 master’s programmes
• 56 taught languages – a Guinness World Record
Ask students and alumni to describe their alma mater in one phrase, and they will always say: “MGIMO is family”. The University builds a truly global community uniting people from more than 90 countries.
👉 Want to follow in the footsteps of global leaders? You can start right now by applying to MGIMO’s preparatory or bachelor’s degree programmes. The application process is fully online and takes just a few steps:
• Register and fill out the applicant form using the links above
• Upload your documents to your personal account
• Wait for the admissions committee to review your documents and send you an invitation to the selection events, which are also held online
• We recommend registering and completing your application now to resolve any potential issues in advance.
ℹ️ You can find all information about MGIMO, admissions, schools and programmes on the website for international applicants.
ℹ️ For more details on programmes, student life and events for international students, follow the MGIMO International Telegram channel.
👍1
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putin's statement on the terrorist attack by the Kiev regime on the Starobelsk Pedagogical College (May 22, 2026)
The statement was made during President of Russia Vladimir Putin’s meeting with graduates of the first cohort of the Time of Heroes educational programme.
💬 On May 22, the neo-Nazi regime that seized power in Kiev carried out a terrorist attack on the student dormitory of the Starobelsk Pedagogical College. At night, while the students were asleep.
According to the reports I have been receiving throughout this time, as of now, six people have been killed, 39 injured, and 15 are listed as missing, as debris removal continues. We will, of course, do everything to help the victims and the families of those killed.
I want to stress – this is important – that there are no military facilities, no intelligence or related service facilities near the dormitory. Therefore, there are no grounds whatsoever to claim that the projectiles hit the building as a result of our air defence or electronic warfare systems. No one can say that they were trying to strike some other facility, while the UAVs were allegedly intercepted by our own systems and accidentally hit this building.
☝️ The strike was not accidental: it came in three waves, with 16 UAVs hitting the same site.
Of course, we will investigate the details. The appropriate conclusions will be drawn. But it is clear to us – and once again becomes obvious – who we are dealing with, who we are fighting, and what we are fighting for. This is a manifestation of neo-Nazism. It once again confirms the terrorist nature of the Kiev regime.
The reasons behind the Kiev regime’s criminal conduct are clear. Constant failures at the front, surrendering positions, populated areas and territories.
For the AFU, the situation at the front is gradually turning from difficult and critical into catastrophic. Neither Western aid – which is regularly stolen, they simply cannot resist stealing it – nor forced mobilisation helps, when people are rounded up in the streets like stray dogs and then thrown to the front. Against this backdrop, desertion is also growing catastrophically for the enemy. It is becoming large-scale.
The situation for the ruling clique is further aggravated by all-consuming corruption that is corroding society and is covered up by the regime’s ringleaders. In fact, they themselves are part of these corruption schemes, which is why they later help one another flee the country and escape to Israel and other countries abroad.
Everyone knows perfectly well – both in Ukraine and around the world – that the Ukrainian authorities steal from absolutely everything. It has even reached military property and personal protective equipment intended for those very people who are driven to the front like cattle – driven to die for those who are plundering Ukraine and foreign aid.
The Kiev regime undoubtedly needs such crimes in order to divert attention from what is happening at the front and inside the country, to provoke a response from Russia, and then – as we know, and have seen many times before – to blame everything on us, on Russia, on our country: all escalations and all consequences of such crimes.
👉 Russia's Foreign Ministry has been instructed to inform international organisations and the international community about this crime.
But, of course, you and I understand that in such cases, MFA statements alone cannot suffice. Therefore, Russia's Defence Ministry has been ordered to submit its proposals.
◾️ I would now ask everyone to rise and honour the memory of those who were killed (a minute of silence).
Read in full
The statement was made during President of Russia Vladimir Putin’s meeting with graduates of the first cohort of the Time of Heroes educational programme.
💬 On May 22, the neo-Nazi regime that seized power in Kiev carried out a terrorist attack on the student dormitory of the Starobelsk Pedagogical College. At night, while the students were asleep.
According to the reports I have been receiving throughout this time, as of now, six people have been killed, 39 injured, and 15 are listed as missing, as debris removal continues. We will, of course, do everything to help the victims and the families of those killed.
I want to stress – this is important – that there are no military facilities, no intelligence or related service facilities near the dormitory. Therefore, there are no grounds whatsoever to claim that the projectiles hit the building as a result of our air defence or electronic warfare systems. No one can say that they were trying to strike some other facility, while the UAVs were allegedly intercepted by our own systems and accidentally hit this building.
☝️ The strike was not accidental: it came in three waves, with 16 UAVs hitting the same site.
Of course, we will investigate the details. The appropriate conclusions will be drawn. But it is clear to us – and once again becomes obvious – who we are dealing with, who we are fighting, and what we are fighting for. This is a manifestation of neo-Nazism. It once again confirms the terrorist nature of the Kiev regime.
The reasons behind the Kiev regime’s criminal conduct are clear. Constant failures at the front, surrendering positions, populated areas and territories.
For the AFU, the situation at the front is gradually turning from difficult and critical into catastrophic. Neither Western aid – which is regularly stolen, they simply cannot resist stealing it – nor forced mobilisation helps, when people are rounded up in the streets like stray dogs and then thrown to the front. Against this backdrop, desertion is also growing catastrophically for the enemy. It is becoming large-scale.
The situation for the ruling clique is further aggravated by all-consuming corruption that is corroding society and is covered up by the regime’s ringleaders. In fact, they themselves are part of these corruption schemes, which is why they later help one another flee the country and escape to Israel and other countries abroad.
Everyone knows perfectly well – both in Ukraine and around the world – that the Ukrainian authorities steal from absolutely everything. It has even reached military property and personal protective equipment intended for those very people who are driven to the front like cattle – driven to die for those who are plundering Ukraine and foreign aid.
The Kiev regime undoubtedly needs such crimes in order to divert attention from what is happening at the front and inside the country, to provoke a response from Russia, and then – as we know, and have seen many times before – to blame everything on us, on Russia, on our country: all escalations and all consequences of such crimes.
👉 Russia's Foreign Ministry has been instructed to inform international organisations and the international community about this crime.
But, of course, you and I understand that in such cases, MFA statements alone cannot suffice. Therefore, Russia's Defence Ministry has been ordered to submit its proposals.
◾️ I would now ask everyone to rise and honour the memory of those who were killed (a minute of silence).
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue (May 21, 2026)
💬 Mr. President,
We wish to thank Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the #MiddleEast Peace Process, for his briefing on the situation in the Middle East.
We have closely listened to Mr. Nikolay Mladenov, High Representative for Gaza of the Board of Peace, as well as to Mr. Rami Hijjo. Frankly speaking, we were somewhat surprised to hear various members of the Council extolling what is happening now.
Today’s meeting is more than a routine briefing. Recently, the Council was presented with the first semi-annual report of the Board of Peace, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2803.
Let me remind you that Russia abstained during that vote as the resolution failed to mention Israel’s obligations, the role of UNRWA, the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, or the universally recognized two-State solution. We chose not to block the document then only in response to numerous requests, primarily from regional States, to allow the US blueprint for Gaza a chance to succeed.
❗️ Regrettably, our fears were borne out. The Board of Peace’s report echoes the language of paragraph 33 about “the difference between a framework that exists on paper and one that delivers on the ground for the people of Gaza.” Six months after the vote on Security Council Resolution 2803, the so-called “Trump Plan” remains largely a dead letter, with declarative successes only serving as a smokescreen to conceal the grim reality in the #GazaStrip. <...>
In fact, since the ceasefire was announced on October 10, 2025, Israeli strikes have been killing Palestinian civilians literally each and every day – more than 880 people have died and over 2,600 have been wounded. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), most of them died as a result of sniper fire or explosions of tripwire bombs which were positioned at access points to water sources. There is a genuine manhunt underway targeting Palestinian law enforcement officers. <...>
Those who survived in Gaza continue to suffer from acute shortages of food and basic necessities, communicable diseases, and they are being forced to relocate en masse due to the bans and restrictions, which were imposed and are being tightened by the Israelis. As was mentioned at a recent OHCHR briefing, sanitary conditions in the enclave are catastrophic, which is compounded by acute shortages of clean drinking water. According to the available information, the UN emergency humanitarian appeal for $4 billion is financed to the tune of a meager 12%.
Those who read the report by the Board of Peace might come to the impression that Hamas alone is to blame for all the misfortunes plaguing Gaza. Essentially, it is being proposed that we accept the premise whereby blocking humanitarian aid, investment, and development assistance can be made contingent on political demands.
We are explicitly being told that until Palestinian groups disarm, we better forget about the provisions of the Trump plan stipulating that “Israel will not occupy or annex the Gaza Strip” and that the people of the enclave will be given “the opportunity to build a better Gaza.” At the same time, it is being proposed that the Security Council members exert pressure on Hamas and Palestinian factions for them to accept a “road map” and a framework document on disarmament, which have not even been shown to the Security Council. However, such “pigs in a poke” no longer surprise us.
👉 The US plan for Gaza contains no specific political commitments vis-à-vis the Palestinians themselves. The Palestinians, who have been tormented by a decades-long brutal war, are cynically being lured with idyllic depictions of beach resorts, skyscrapers, and promises of jobs. But this will be in exchange for their own State, which was pledged to them by the international community more than 70 years ago.
Read in full
💬 Mr. President,
We wish to thank Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the #MiddleEast Peace Process, for his briefing on the situation in the Middle East.
We have closely listened to Mr. Nikolay Mladenov, High Representative for Gaza of the Board of Peace, as well as to Mr. Rami Hijjo. Frankly speaking, we were somewhat surprised to hear various members of the Council extolling what is happening now.
Today’s meeting is more than a routine briefing. Recently, the Council was presented with the first semi-annual report of the Board of Peace, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2803.
Let me remind you that Russia abstained during that vote as the resolution failed to mention Israel’s obligations, the role of UNRWA, the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, or the universally recognized two-State solution. We chose not to block the document then only in response to numerous requests, primarily from regional States, to allow the US blueprint for Gaza a chance to succeed.
❗️ Regrettably, our fears were borne out. The Board of Peace’s report echoes the language of paragraph 33 about “the difference between a framework that exists on paper and one that delivers on the ground for the people of Gaza.” Six months after the vote on Security Council Resolution 2803, the so-called “Trump Plan” remains largely a dead letter, with declarative successes only serving as a smokescreen to conceal the grim reality in the #GazaStrip. <...>
In fact, since the ceasefire was announced on October 10, 2025, Israeli strikes have been killing Palestinian civilians literally each and every day – more than 880 people have died and over 2,600 have been wounded. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), most of them died as a result of sniper fire or explosions of tripwire bombs which were positioned at access points to water sources. There is a genuine manhunt underway targeting Palestinian law enforcement officers. <...>
Those who survived in Gaza continue to suffer from acute shortages of food and basic necessities, communicable diseases, and they are being forced to relocate en masse due to the bans and restrictions, which were imposed and are being tightened by the Israelis. As was mentioned at a recent OHCHR briefing, sanitary conditions in the enclave are catastrophic, which is compounded by acute shortages of clean drinking water. According to the available information, the UN emergency humanitarian appeal for $4 billion is financed to the tune of a meager 12%.
Those who read the report by the Board of Peace might come to the impression that Hamas alone is to blame for all the misfortunes plaguing Gaza. Essentially, it is being proposed that we accept the premise whereby blocking humanitarian aid, investment, and development assistance can be made contingent on political demands.
We are explicitly being told that until Palestinian groups disarm, we better forget about the provisions of the Trump plan stipulating that “Israel will not occupy or annex the Gaza Strip” and that the people of the enclave will be given “the opportunity to build a better Gaza.” At the same time, it is being proposed that the Security Council members exert pressure on Hamas and Palestinian factions for them to accept a “road map” and a framework document on disarmament, which have not even been shown to the Security Council. However, such “pigs in a poke” no longer surprise us.
👉 The US plan for Gaza contains no specific political commitments vis-à-vis the Palestinians themselves. The Palestinians, who have been tormented by a decades-long brutal war, are cynically being lured with idyllic depictions of beach resorts, skyscrapers, and promises of jobs. But this will be in exchange for their own State, which was pledged to them by the international community more than 70 years ago.
Read in full